Key Factors to Consider When Designing Thickness

Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit. Your body heats this water, and the neoprene (the foam rubber material) acts as an insulator, slowing down the loss of that heat to the colder surrounding water. Thicker neoprene provides a greater barrier against heat loss.

When deciding on thickness, you must evaluate these factors:

Water Temperature: This is the most critical factor.

User Activity Level: A surfer sitting on a board will get colder faster than a swimmer constantly moving.

User Personal Physiology: Some people naturally feel the cold more than others.

Zoning (Differential Thickness): This is the hallmark of a well-designed wetsuit.